April Fools and Birthday Bogo!

 Have I ever mentioned how much I love April Fools?  

It so silly, but it's one of my favorite days-- I just love having total rights to snag people-- nothing mean or harmful... just... unexpected.  The night before I talked Doug into being my partner in crime and we decorated our friends car with streamers and put "Just Married" on their window (I should mention they just had their 4th kid).  Yes... I lose sleep thinking of these kind of things and I randomly crack up when the ideas pop into my head.

They got us back by "Tee Pee"ing our door and giving us Brownie "Brown E's".

Amberlee actually gave asked me if I wanted a Brownie earlier that day and this is what she gave me.  

(The apple doesn't fall far, huh?)

Then we hit our Birthday Bogo...

I am still just trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm over thirty.

I was actually pretty busy on my birthday just running errands and I spent most of the day at the laundry mat trying to rid our home of  the head-lice Amberlee so generously brought home from school.  (It was a rough week... but I can laugh about it now. :)

But sweet Doug knows how to celebrate.  All the things I love... flowers, strawberry cheesecake, and twizzlers make ANYTHING better.

And I got to got to the temple.  Love the beautiful spring flowers.

Then there is this little beautiful.  Can't even believe I have a nine-year-old!!!

Yay for AMBERLEE!

Amberlee is so precious.  There is just something special about that oldest child-- that patient little guiniea pig.  She puts up with so much and this girl has born her trials well.  She is finally overcoming some of the struggles she has had with bladder infections, and she just never complains about anything.  The other day I was kind of picking out her clothes and doing her hair and being a bit bossy and I stopped and asked her, "Why do you never complain when I choose your clothes or do your hair?" and she said, "Oh Mom, there are just bigger things in my life to worry about and I'm just glad if there is less stuff."  That's just how she rolls.  We couldn't ask for a more nurturing "good example" big sister.  I love this girl to pieces.  I have raised her to kind of be my built in best friend, and that is just what she is.

She was thrilled when we showed up for school lunch on her big day.  She is pretty mature for her age, and I can tell quality time is a big thing for her (it's not like she has to compete for it is or anything :) -- we had her pick between a big party with friends and an intimate one-on-one dinner date at Tucano's with Mom and Dad and she picked the latter.  We had fun visiting with her and enjoying the fun atmosphere.

There is some cool architecture there- this was just above our heads.

Speaking of Amberlee- I love the way she can keep all these kids busy on little projects.  They are usually pretty messy, but it's worth it. :)

Then there is Autumn.  

I just have to fuss on her for a second because after 7 1/2 years of heavy thumb sucking, she quit cold-turkey when I offered to let her get her ears pierced-- something she has dreamed about for months.  

It works out well, because if she ever starts up again, I can just take the earrings.  She has since taken up chewing metal (paperclips, staples, tacks etc... sensory issues?) but we are celebrating victories and choosing our battles for now. Sigh.

It took her almost a month to break the habit.

Here she is with the Piercing Princess.

She is one happy little girl!

(This picture reminds me of "Red Riding Hood rolling in!" from Super Why. :)

(She also picked up roller skating in a heartbeat!  Figures-- she loves to be moving!)

In addition to Birthdays and sloughing off old habits, we enjoyed the "sloughing off of winter" with some beautiful Spring walks.

I have the best walking buddies.

The kids convinced Doug to help them fly Seth's birthday kite.  What is spring without a kite?

And we took some occasion trips to our favorite place...

We have almost plowed through 2nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon as a family, which is a really big deal because this is what most of our family scripture study sessions look like.

Seth is AMAZING!!!

Hooray for Seth!

We celebrated his 5th birthday at the end of March with a fun STORYBOT Theme. 

(I'm just going to stop apologizing for back tracking and celebrate the fact that I am moving forward. :)

Seth is such a special boy- he is so gentle and affectionate.  He recognizes immediately if he has hurt anyone's feelings and makes it right so quickly.  It's almost like it's not in his nature to be really mean.  He is a good big brother and he is generally speaking totally "even-kill" and "low-maintenance".  He doesn't ask for much at all-- a stick, a truck, a cape... and even then, he usually ends up having to get it himself-- poor middle child; the other kids just cry louder.  

He is truly the little boy I dreamed of having.  I remember just after high school, going to a concert and hearing a lullaby that the singer wrote for their little boy, and I had such an over-whelming feeling that I was going to have a little boy someday.  Then I got to spend some time with my Aunt Judy and Uncle Mark and watch them as they prepared for the twins they were adopting and I just felt so happy and excited to someday have my own family and my own little boy.  I adore my little Seth-- he has a big chunk of my heart.  He is turning into such a big boy!

His StoryBot Cake... I have to confess I kind of pushed this because I had a vision and it seemed do-able. :)

Amberlee is our thoughtful gift giver- she always makes sure she has a present for birthdays, even if she doesn't actually "have" anything.  She crocheted a flower for him and quite creatively decorated a bag. :)

We invited some of Seth's cute friends and made storybots and played a few fun games.

And watched a couple episodes- I think I like them just as much as the kids. :)

And then TALK ABOUT A MAJOR BIRTHDAY BONUS!

Grandma and Grandpa Stewart showed up just in time to party.  They made it so fun that now all the kids are asking for "grandparents" for their birthdays. :)

We had a delicious birthday dinner at Tuacano's Brazilian Grill. (I need to work on giving people warning before I snap a picture- I promise we were smiling and having a good time. :)

Here's the proof- and this is even after we had stuffed ourselves silly!

And how special is it that I got to have my two daughters and my amazing mother and sister-in-law here to attend the historic General Women's Broadcast?!  It was pretty special for us!

And we finished the day off with a late night dip in the pool.

We also got to see our Great Uncle Truman- he is a pretty amazing guy and it was so fun to visit with him.  He is sharp as a tack and has such a fun sense of humor!

We kind of like when these people come to visit! (In case you couldn't tell.)